Page 32 of The Soul of the Dragon

I took a deep calming breath because I knew that my answer wasn't going to make him feel any better. But if he was angry with the King, did that mean I had more of a chance at getting away? Ultimately, it wouldn't matter when it came down to him getting what he wanted. But as the floor began to shake underneath us, I could see no other choice but to tell him the truth.

“The King ordered it, and Magnus was forced to carry it out. He said it was a lesson for us both in obedience.”

ChapterTwelve

Isaac

As my blood chilled at her words, I fought against the internal heat of the dragon threatening to consume me. I had no true claim over this woman yet, but the very real need to take to the skies and burn this realm to the ground warred with the whole reason I was here in the first place.

The amulet.

My father had sacrificed his life so that I could come here and do the right thing for our family. A foolhardy plan if you asked me considering I wasn't prone to doing what was best for others. But I could still feel my twin's pain and how it had twisted me into painful knots after he lost his mate in our banishment.

And there was our mother.

She was alone in America without our protection. And while I'd given her hell most of my life thus far, she was still my mother. She had counted on her King for safety and protection and now that duty fell to me. Those thoughts alone were enough to pull me back from the brink. But the look of horror on my little beast's face and the red welts that crisscrossed her entire upper back were not going to be forgotten.

I couldn't claim her, but that didn't seem to make her less mine. At least for now.

"I will make him pay for hurting you. But for now..."

I grabbed her and pulled her into my arms. Gently this time now that I knew more about her ordeal. I pressed a kiss to the first visible welt, infusing my touch with the essence of my magic that would help heal her skin.

"Isaac," she breathed in protest.

"I have to do this. It's the only way I can stop myself from going crazy this instant." She didn't relax in my arms, but she did nod her head in assent. And that was all the permission I needed to continue.

I returned my mouth to her feverish skin and kissed along the full length of that first mark. Had I known of her injuries sooner, I would have taken care of this right away. I wasn't above inflicting pain on women when I knew it would enhance pleasure, but this wasn't that.

These marks came from insecurity and cruelty and I found that insufferable and unacceptable. The man who'd ordered this done suffered from a weakness there was no cure from. Short of death.

My lips twisted momentarily in grim satisfaction in the knowledge that when the time was right that was exactly what would happen, and at my hand. He would pay for hurting her and I planned to count the minutes until I took my vengeance.

The next welt I licked from one end to the other and she gasped in shock. I bit back a satisfied smile as the heat of my magic flowed from me to her, and a small moan slid from her lips.

Despite everything, I still reveled in keeping her off balance when it came to this thing between us. And now more than ever I wanted to tease her closer as I wiped the memory of pain and replaced it with something far more pleasurable.

"How are you able to do that?" she sighed, her head lolling to the side.

I licked another, holding my answer until a shudder worked its way up her spine. "My mother has many gifts and healing is one that passed from her to both me and my twin."

"Oh my goddess. There are two like you? How unfortunate for your mother and the world."

I smiled against her skin. "No, little beast. There is only one like me. Unfortunately for you, Ian is the nice one. He and I may look the same, but that is where the similarities end."

"So then why are you being so nice to me?"

"Maybe it's not you who gets the most benefit from all of this. The taste of your skin is both bitter and sweet. And watching you accept my touch..."

"But—"

"Enough talk. I need to focus my magic to get this done. But first, I want you to lift up your garments and expose yourself to me."

"What?!" she shrieked. "Why would I do such a thing?"

A dark chuckle rumbled through my chest. The words had come out offended and surprised, but her body still stood languidly against mine. She had not pulled away in outrage. And I could smell the sweet scent of her cunt as her arousal built higher and higher in my presence.

While I enjoyed watching her fight it, I would enjoy watching her fall apart even more.

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